PLANS for a major food store in Christchurch are still being discussed by Morrisons.

The supermarket, which now has planning permission for a store at Beagle Technology in Stony Lane, has confirmed the plans are still being reviewed.

A Morrisons spokesperson said: “We continue to review our options to bring a new store to Christchurch and will update in due course.”

Last month, a planning inspector allowed an appeal by Beagle over Christchurch council's refusal of the food store scheme.

Inspector Alwyn Nixon, also ordered the council to pay partial costs, after he found them to have acted 'unreasonably'.

His report criticised planning committee members, saying their reasons for refusal were unsubstantiated.

The figure has not been disclosed but could run into tens of thousands of pounds.

Following the appeal, which came after the council refused the detailed application three times, John Taylor, managing director of Beagle Technology, said they wanted to "pause for breath and review all of our options".

If the supermarket scheme was to go ahead, it would enable Beagle to move to new premises.

The company has long wanted to move to a new site at Bournemouth Airport, allowing them to expand their workforce and modernise their premises.

In turn, this would mean they could attract new contracts.

The food store is likely to create around 300 supermarket jobs.

Earlier this year, Morrisons saw its first sales rise for nearly 18 months.

The retailer, which has branches in Blandford, New Milton and Weymouth, saw sales 0.1 per cent up in the 12 weeks to May 24 - the only sales growth among the big four supermarkets.

Last month, Christchurch council, approved plans to transform a derelict Christchurch retail park into a new shopping complex with six retail units.

A meeting of the planning committee heard work at Meteor Retail Park, previously the subject of several supermarket planning applications, could start within weeks.

Brands such as Aldi, TK Maxx and Matalan have been linked with the scheme.